Category Archives: St Kilda Rd

300m is not going to address issues related with Car Dooring. The so called “Copenhagen” style bike lanes are not the solution. They will only add to risk of commuter safety. A better and mare prudent cost saving option would have been to install wider open Chevron line delineated bike paths. For the cost of 300m Melbourne could have upgraded and installed 4Km of bike path in St Kilda Road travelling down both sides. The City of Melbourne’s rejection of a one month delay and a review of the Latrobe Street and Princes Bridge lanes closures is a step backwards.

Latrobe Street is a mistake and remains a risk to both driver and cyclist safety. Swanston Street and Albert Street lanes are also in need of review

An important aspect of any road design is the ability to read the road ahead and gauge the level of traffic management and design that applies.

The installation of wider Chevron line delineated lanes would have been consistent with the design of the Princes Bridge bike lane and other more successful bike paths such as the one installed in Clardeon Street East Melbourne

Instead of Latrobe Street the City of Melbourne should have investigated installing bike lanes in alternative less used smaller side streets such as Abbeckett Street or Franklin Street

As to Princes Bridge I have no objection to the lane closure provided the City of Melbourne provides an alternative traffic river crossing to the East of Princess Bride.

A new bridge connecting Linlithgow to Batman Avenue Toll way would be in order to allow a further reduction in traffic flow on Swantson Street-St Kilda Road Between Flinders Street and Linlithgow Street.

There were a number of flaws in the Council’s consultation process not the least of its failure to properly consider alternative cheaper and more effective designs that address the safety concerns of cyclists and dooring. Council consulted widely with Cyclist groups but ignored the broader communities concerns in pushing ahead with the design solution adopted including the safety concerns of disabled drivers and passengers.

The segregated lanes in Albert Street, Swanston Street North and recently installed in Latrobe Street are a disaster in design and implementation. They would have been better had they adopted the alternative chevron design. The money save alone would have allowed the upgrading of a significant number of bike paths within the city not just 300m in St Kilda Road.

A pause for a review to allow assessment of the Princes Bridge and Latrobe Street developments would have been prudent, responsible and would have allowed for a better roll-out of a safer greater bike plan that is embraced by the whole community as opposed to one that had divided and created hostility towards cyclists.

Melbourne City Councillor Cathy Oake who claimed last Tuesday that the St Kilda Road section between Princes Bridge and Linlithgow Avenue was one of the worst Bicycle accidents spots has been proved to be false and misleading.

Geo-Spatail data of bicycle accidents show that the section of St Kilda Road in which the City of Melbourne proposes to construct a Latrobe Street style 350m bike lane costing $330,000 is not a a major source of accidents. There is growing concern and opposition to the roll out and implementation of Melbourne’s Bicycle plan. There are a number of shortfalls in the consultation process with major stakeholders not consulted in the formation of the policy including Motorcyclists and Emergency services. Cathy Oake was chairman of the City Council’s Transport Portfolio.

On Tuesday the City of Melbourne rejected a proposal to defer the development of the St Kilda Road Bike Lane and to undertake a comprehensive review of the Latrobe Street and Princess Bridge Bike lane developments.

The City of Melbourne failed to give due and proper consideration to the cheaper alternative “Chevron line delineated” bike lane design that would have allowed for 3-4Km safer bike path to be installed along St Kilda Road. The proposed 350m bike lane will do nothing to improve public safety.

Melbourne Green Councillor Rohan Leppert wants Melbourne’s Horse and Carriages banned from using the Princes Bridge Bike Lane forcing them into using the single traffic lane that crosses the Yarra river.

Worst part is lack of adherence to road rules by Horse Drawn Vehicles. Illegal to travel in bike lane but many still do – dangerous. — Rohan Leppert (@RohanLeppert) July 31, 2013

In Rohan Leppert’s mind the interests of cyclists come first and all others, with the exception of members of Occupy Melbourne and residents of North Melbourne, a distant second.

The Horse and Carriages travel at the speed of 6km per hour. To force them into the traffic lane particularly during peak hour traffic or at night when the bike lane is empty would cause more congestion on an already congested road.

The proposed St Kilda Rd Bike Lane will force Horse and Carriages into the main traffic lane again blocking traffic. Horse and Carriages are a legitimate means of transport that run on bio fuel and have every right to use the roads. By using the bike lane they allow traffic, which is already congested as a result of the Princes Bridge lane closure to flow. When the Horse and Carriages used the main traffic lane motorist opted instead to enter into the bike lane to pass the carriage. Something they are allowed to do up to 50 metres under current road rules. A situation which would be more disruptive and unsafe for cyclists. Solution allow Horse and Carriages to use the bike lane.

Horse and Carriages is another problem identified with the proposed St Kilda Rd 350m bike lane. Horse and Carriage operators never consulted over the proposed design nor were a number of other stakeholders including Motorcycle and Scooter riders not consulted. With up to 12 Horse and Carriage operators in the City using the St Kilda Rd/Gardens route one of the St Kilda Road traffic lanes will be blocked. Greens solution ban horse and carriages and cars.

Melbourne Greens are opposing moves by Independent Councillor Richard Foster to hold a open public review of the proposed St Kilda Road 330m Bicycle Lane opposite the Art Gallery.

The City Council in closed session held in May agreed to a trial of the Princes Bridge Bicycle lane amidst promises that motorists would not be inconvenienced and that traffic times would remain the same.

The trial was to go for three months and presumably would then be subjected to open public review.

The Princes Bridge lane closure trial to date has not been successful with congestion on the St Kilda road route pushing out travel time across Princes Bride to more than 10 minutes. In spite Robert Doyle’s to claims that the delay is no more then one minute. What is worst is the congestion remains well into the night when the bike lane is empty.

In a further act of contempt for open consultation the City of Melbourne under delegation is proposing to start construction on a controversial “Latrobe Street:” style bike lane on the South Bound side of St Kilda Rd. A move that has seriously undermined confidence in the Council and the promised consultation process.

The Current elected council has not discussed or considered the proposed Lane design or construction other than approve the budget for the development.

Cr Foster is concerned is that the Council has got it wrong and as such he has moved a motion to be considered at next Tuesday’s Future Melbourne Committee a deferral motion to allow for the proposed bicycle lane to subject to a comprehensive review in September.

The Greens with the support of Councillor Mayne are opposed to the review and want to push ahead with the development at all cost.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle on public radio stated that the The Latrobe Street Bike path which was installed earlier this year and cost ratepayers $2.6 Million is not working.

The proposed 330m St Kilda Road lane is the same design as the failed Latrobe Street bike lane. Given that teh Latrobe St Lane is not working you would be forgiven in thinking that a review of the design would be prudent if not good governance.

There are better safer alternative designs such as the Claredon Street East Melbourne Bike lane that are supported by Senior City Council Engineers. A design that cost significantly less and meets all the concerns over safety and access, A design that has not been properly considered by the Council or management.

The 350m bike path is not going to address Cyclist concerns and shifts instead it creates safety issues related to access for the disabled, the elderly, Families and emergency vehicles.

There is little wonder why the Council is referred to as Clown Hall and why the Greens are deemed to be living in fairly land

The proposed one month delay, until September and subsequent review by Richard Foster is welcomed and should be supported by the City of Council as a whole if the Council is sincere in finding the best solution and use of limited public resources and maintain public confidence in the Council administration.

Vicroads publish a serious of statistics of bicycle movements on St Kilda Road. The data shows a different story than that presented by Melbourne Bicycle Users Group and the City of Melbourne Engineering Department inflated estimate of 5,500 bicycles a day..Daily Averages

Independent Candidate and South Yarra Resident, Anthony van der Craats, has expressed concern that residents South of the Yarra are being ignored and unrepresented. Southbank, St Kilda Road and South Yarra residents are located in part of the electorate that is poorly serviced by the City Council and stuck between two to three State and Federal electorates. More often than not we are ignored by all three teirs of government.

Mr van der Craats who moved from North of the Yarra to the Southern side said part of the problem is that there is no local newspaper that covers the whole of the city and as such we are cut out of the debate and community discussion which does not include residents on the South side of the City

With most city councillors and candidates seeking election to the Melbourne City Council not living in the municipality there is little wonder why residents on the South side are ignored.

There is little infrastructure development and and proper planning. South Yarra, Domain Road in particular is suffering as a result. The City of Melbourne Council’s planning system as failed the local community.

Instead of development that is needed we are facing increasing pressure and proposals for the establishment of bars and night clubs in what is primarily a residential precinct. “The last thing we need is another bar or night club in Domain Road”.

We have lost our local butcher and local post office and lack good quaility amenities and shops. The one thing we need the most is a quaility deli and produce store all we have left is a small fruit shop and a Seven Eleven. A quality local delecatesian that can provide good cheeses, meat and produce is much needed. Instead of food we get bars and night clubs and with it the problems associated with them. Enough is enough.

Independent Candidate and South Yarra Resident, Anthony van der Craats, has expressed concern that residents South of the Yarra are being ignored and unrepresented. Southbank, St Kilda Road and South Yarra residents are located in part of the electorate that is poorly serviced by the City Council and stuck between two to three State and Federal electorates. More often than not we are ignored by all three teirs of government.

Mr van der Craats who moved from North of the Yarra to the Southern side said part of the problem is that there is no local newspaper that covers the whole of the city and as such we are cut out of the debate and community discussion which does not include residents on the South side of the City

With most city councillors and candidates seeking election to the Melbourne City Council not living in the municipality there is little wonder why residents on the South side are ignored.

There is little infrastructure development and and proper planning. South Yarra, Domain Road in particular is suffering as a result. The City of Melbourne Council’s planning system as failed the local community.

Instead of development that is needed we are facing increasing pressure and proposals for the establishment of bars and night clubs in what is primarily a residential precinct. “The last thing we need is another bar or night club in Domain Road”.

We have lost our local butcher and local post office and lack good quaility amenities and shops. The one thing we need the most is a quaility deli and produce store all we have left is a small fruit shop and a Seven Eleven. A quality local delecatesian that can provide good cheeses, meat and produce is much needed. Instead of food we get bars and night clubs and with it the problems associated with them. Enough is enough.

Independent Candidate and South Yarra Resident, Anthony van der Craats, has expressed concern that residents South of the Yarra are being ignored and unrepresented. Southbank, St Kilda Road and South Yarra residents are located in part of the electorate that is poorly serviced by the City Council and stuck between two to three State and Federal electorates. More often than not we are ignored by all three teirs of government.

Mr van der Craats who moved from North of the Yarra to the Southern side said part of the problem is that there is no local newspaper that covers the whole of the city and as such we are cut out of the debate and community discussion which does not include residents on the South side of the City

With most city councillors and candidates seeking election to the Melbourne City Council not living in the municipality there is little wonder why residents on the South side are ignored.

There is little infrastructure development and and proper planning. South Yarra, Domain Road in particular is suffering as a result. The City of Melbourne Council’s planning system as failed the local community.

Instead of development that is needed we are facing increasing pressure and proposals for the establishment of bars and night clubs in what is primarily a residential precinct. “The last thing we need is another bar or night club in Domain Road”.

We have lost our local butcher and local post office and lack good quaility amenities and shops. The one thing we need the most is a quaility deli and produce store all we have left is a small fruit shop and a Seven Eleven. A quality local delecatesian that can provide good cheeses, meat and produce is much needed. Instead of food we get bars and night clubs and with it the problems associated with them. Enough is enough.